TeamPilipinas.info: Pacquiao bent on running

source: Bill Velasco | philstar.com

Seven-time world champion Manny Pacquiao is bent on seeking a congressional seat in Sarangani in the 2010 elections. In an interview for the ABS-CBN News Channel program “Ultimate Sports Barkada” airing today at 11:30 a.m. (with a replay on Sunday at 3 p.m.), Pacquiao said it was all part of his dream of what life would be like after boxing.

“We really need leaders who are upright and can be examples to the people,” Pacquiao said in the vernacular. “I used to wonder what my life would be like after boxing. Now I know what direction I will take.”

Although hanging up his gloves is farthest from his mind with a megabuck fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. already on the negotiating table, Pacquiao also expressed his desire that more Filipino athletes would reach his stature.

“That’s what worries me sometimes, that there can be more Manny Pacquiao’s out there,” the new WBO welterweight champion continued. “I saw our SEA Games athletes, and they look like they can do it. But they really have to believe in themselves and in God.”

Pacquiao also recalled the days when he was starting out, sometimes fighting in neighboring towns for what was essentially transportation money, and doing construction work and odd jobs just to survive.

“I know it’s hard without support, but look at me. The food I used to eat was not good, and I did many things to keep going,” Pacquiao revealed. “But support doesn’t really matter if you are determined to get what you want. I knew I wanted to be a champion.”

As Tim Duncan once said, “The times when there is nobody there to cheer for you, and nobody there to support you are the times when an athlete is made.”

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Meanwhile, Z Gorres is healthy and improving, but still a long way from full recovery. Gorres collapsed after winning a savage bout against Luis Melendez of Colombia earlier this month.

“Z is doing okay, but he is not weaned from the ventilator yet as of now. He is responding to commands, but not consistently,” explained Michael Aldeguer, president of ALA Promotions, in a text message to The Star from Las Vegas, where Gorres is recuperating.

After coming out of a medically-induced coma to hasten the reduction of swelling of his brain, Gorres has shown signs of gradual improvement. He can now be held seated upright, and is able to respond when asked to indicate numbers one to four. However, being placed on a ventilator has exposed him to pneumonia, which is a common complication.

“He opened his eyes fully, but still looks blank,” Aldeguer continued. “It’s still a long road ahead.”

The victory assured Gorres of a world title fight, but the horrific beating he took in the last round ended his boxing career.

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